Fires Empty C Building at Heights of Collingswood
Residents report two trash-chute fires to Patch; Collingswood F.D. as yet unable to confirm.
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Two fires set in the trash chutes of the the C building of the Heights of Collingswood evacuated the property twice in the span of two hours Friday, according to a resident at the propery.
It is the policy of the Collingswood Fire Department that only the chief issues formal comment to the media on firefighting actions, and Fire Chief Keith Davis was not immediately available to confirm the details of this story around 11:00 p.m. Friday.
According to the resident, the first fire broke out on the third floor of the building around 8:15 p.m., causing the building to be evacuated for about 40 minutes.
"Do not know if it was accidental or another stupid joke of some bright HOC residents," the resident wrote in an e-mail to Patch.
The same resident later reported that less than two hours later, around 10:10 p.m., a second fire erupted on the eighth floor of the building when "somebody put burning rag to trash chute second time tonight."
"This time it is much more smoke in entire building," wrote the resident. "I just hope that they get this 'joker' fast."
Another resident confirmed the incident, tweeting to Patch "not a big deal, but just a drippy night to be siting outside!"
Residents with any information about the alleged fires are invited to contact Patch as we await official word from Collingswood officials. Other trash chute fires have been set at the property, including one in November 2011.
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Heights of Collingswood
700 W Browning Rd, Oaklyn, NJ -
Collingswood Fire Department/EMS
20 W Collings Ave, Collingswood, NJ -
senior
8:10 am on Saturday, August 18, 2012
Yes, it was not a "big dill"; but think about this; in all three incidents the evacuation was voluntary' not mandatory (people with mobility devices; vision problems, etc..are not even attempting to use stairs to get outside. I left the building (every time) mostly because of piercing shrieks of fire alarms on every floor. So, next time if (God forbid) the big fire will errupt; people will be stalling evacuation, thinking "not big dill" and somebody might really get hurt. Anyway; it was not pleasant and many residents were standing outside in the rain (the second fire) just in their pijamas....
Gary B
9:32 am on Saturday, August 18, 2012
Someday Collingswood adults will grow up and act like adults. Watching children and punks run Collingswood is becoming old hat.
The Lord of the Flies wasn't just for an island setting.
senior
11:03 am on Saturday, August 18, 2012
sorry; it is "big deal" not a "big dill"
Matt Skoufalos
11:45 am on Saturday, August 18, 2012
Either way, it seems to be a real pickle.
Collingswoodwasnice
1:19 pm on Sunday, August 19, 2012
So to the residents of the Heights, when does it become a "big deal"? Check out all the Patch articles and incidents related to your home, "Police investigate spate of crimes..." "Conditions still unsanitary..." Heights complex moves to increase security...".
If it's not a big deal for you, it is getting to be a big deal for me, your neighbor! I stopped taking walks in that direction well over a year ago. I have to hear the roar of the sirens as they wail in the night. I'm beginning to feel as though it's time to go, even though I have called Collingswood home for over 17 years.
Kim R.
9:34 pm on Sunday, August 19, 2012
I was the one who tweeted "not a big deal" (and am embarrassed about the "siting" typo) -- It wasn't a big deal because it both fires were small and in the trash rooms and this building is made of plaster and concrete - it's pretty sturdy. Sitting outside in the rain was not on my short list of things to do on a Friday night. But it was unlike the fire a few years ago where we were out of the building for hours and some apartment units had to be renovated.
I'm well aware of the uptick in crime here and in other parts of Collingswood (stolen bikes, robberies, etc). And I'm sorry that my apartments' problems is a big deal for you and that you have to hear the occasional siren -- we border the White Horse Pike -- not every siren is meant for the Heights. We're situated between two lovely parks and it's a pretty nice place to walk. Walking around your neighborhood doesn't stop at 8:30pm on National Night Out.
senior
1:49 pm on Sunday, August 19, 2012
Collingswoodwasnice; you did not understand this post; yes it was a big deal and probably a very costly one. Saying "not a big deal" means that this both fires came as a results of some jerk (joker) who was playing with fire....that nobody was hurt and that we (residents) could go back to our apartments and none of them were destroyed... This is a third incidentof the samenature in a short period of time in the same building; and yes; we are fed with this.(as with many other things...) So, again; "not a big deal" means only that it could be much worst....And, please do not think that anybody did like to run outside twice; stand on the rain not knowing what was really going on; many people with small children, many with disabilities, and than go back climbing stairs because elevators were shut down, and not knowing if some "joker" will try to "amuse" himself again....
One road town
8:52 pm on Sunday, August 19, 2012
Glad you're alright Senior.
Also I left you an answer to your question the other day, don't know if you got it on your message board or not, but hopefully you :)
Longtime Colls Resident
11:26 pm on Sunday, August 19, 2012
Joker equals arsonist to me. Anyone "playing" with fire has the potential to cause major catasrophe.
Will McGowan
6:56 pm on Monday, August 20, 2012
And knowing that these types of crimes are "on the uptick" in an apartment complex, we are STILL allowing the Lumberyard to convert the next phase to rentals? I just don't see the logic, here?